SEPARATISTS took control of the southern port of Aden in Yemen this week.

Clashes broke out last weekend between separatists supported by the United Arab Emirates and troops loyal to President Hadi, resulting in 36 deaths and 185 wounded, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported. Forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized government buildings, and activists flew the flag of Southern Yemen (formerly an independent state).

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that witnesses had described hundreds of people dancing and singing, fireworks, and the chanting of slogans demanding restoration of the southern state.

Formerly united in the campaign to crush the Houthi movement in Yemen, the two factions threaten to destabilise further the conflict-riven country. The STC has been calling on President Hadi, whose government is now based in Aden, to dismiss the cabinet, which it accuses of corruption. The Prime Minister, Ahmed bin Dagher, has accused the separatists of attempting a coup.